Sunday, February 26, 2012

Ok.... Like I need another source of projects. But have you seen Pinterest?? Of course I have several boards and will be starting more I know.One of the projects in my file there was a cover for my Composition books. You know the kind with the black and white covers.I have one for Quilting 2012, Soap making 2012 and Wool. But I needed to appeal to my aesthetic side. They, to me, were unsightly with their cardboard covers.

So......... I found several tutorials on Pinterest and combined them for my covers.

Couple things I like about them. One I can leave them on my shelf and they don't stand out as a modern book. Two they have a built in book mark and Three the flaps on the front and back are handy for storing papers that I write notes on until I can transfer them to the pages.In my next ones I'm going to try and put in an envelope of some sort and a pen holder??? That may be too much for the book but we'll see.

Happy Sunday to you all. As I was researching the laundry soap recipe I found lots of articles on making regular bar soap. I was intrigued with the whole process. So began another obsession for me. I began reading everything I could get my hands on about making soap. At present count I believe I've read 9 books. Anything the library had I requested. (The librarian is starting to look at me kinda funny.)It was amazing to me how many You Tube videos I found too. I lost count of how many of those I watched.The ingredients are pretty accessible-just oils mostly form the grocery store. but one thing kept me from jumping in LYE. Yep the ingredient that kept me stymied was the thing that makes soap soap. It reacts with the oils in a chemical reaction that manufactures soap. Ok I know what you're thinking. Why put that in your soap. It's in all soap. We just aren't seeing the word lye. They use it's chemical name. Sodium Hydroxide. But I digress. So I pulled up my big girl pants and went looking for Lye. Did you know you can make crystal meth and a bomb with Lye?? I didn't... but I do now. You should have seen the looks on people's faces when I asked if they carried it. You know that MasterCard commercial PRICELESS. Nough said.In the end I sent for a beginners kit. Bought all the utensils and waited for the arrival of my ingredients.

Here's my first attempt at soap making. It has a Cranberry Fig fragrance. It's not the prettiest soap I've ever seen but for my first attempt I'm pleased. It went through all the chemical processes it was supposed to. It sat for 24hours and then I could cut it. I didn't like the long skinny bars so I switched to more of a rectangular shape.

Here is a close up of a cut bar. Now it has to cure for 4-6 weeks before I can use it.I have so many pretty bars pinned on my Pinterest board that I can't wait to try more. I'm thinking as I make more and get into it more I'll do Soapy Sunday posts. I have been bitten by the bug.The possibilities are endless.I'll have the cleanest family on the block.There's so many oils and fragrances as well as other natural ingredients that I can't wait to start more types. I'm thinking Honey Oatmeal, Goats milk and Honey, Pumpkin Spice. The ideas are endless.

Monday, February 13, 2012

I am moving ahead on my rug hooking. It's a slow go for me. I looked at the pictures of my progress and I'm going back and change a few things.I got the outline done all around what will be the actual rug.

I finished another star.

But the two blues in the stars aren't working for me. So that will get pulled out and redone. It's amazing what a camrea shot shows. I use it in quilting as well to see what I want something to look like.

I finished my short term baby quilt. Well, finished the top anyways. Will quilt it later.

Finished a table runner made from antique blocks. I love the prints from the late1800's. I added the reproduction borders. I felt like it deserved hand quilting. I think it looks great,

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Well I spent my day off trying a new recipe. A recipe for liquid laundry soap that is. My SIL gave it to me last week and I couldn't wait to try it. It only takes 4 ingredients including the water.

Fels Naptha Soap,Mule team Borax, and Arm and Hammer Washing soda. I found all 3 ingredients at Trader Horn. Not sure who else carries them but I'm told they are pretty easy to find.

As you can see you will need a grater,measuring cups,a pot to mix in and a container to store the finished gel in. I used an old kitty litter bucket to store it in because it fits perfectly under the sink in the laundry room and has a lid.

I wanted to show you the pan I got at the Thrift Store because I think it emulates the frugality I am starting to notice more and more.

Do you see it?? Notice the handles on the pot. Yep one is not like the other. One is wooden and brown. The other it the original and black. Now add the lid. Not the correct lid either but it does fit. Wonder who fixed the handle and how long did they use it after that.

I just love this picture of the grated Fels Naptha.It has so much texture and color. Not really a yellow fan but I'll call it gold and it'll work.Liquid gold it is. Made a 2 gallon batch for guess...........Ready $1.88 Can you believe it. Now that's not including water but you could figure that in if you'd like.I write all the figures all over the box so I can keep track of the cost.Can you tell how excited I was to discover this economical way for making laundry soap??My SIL said she's used it for awhile and it cleans well. I did some research on the Internet and anyone who I found that uses it loves it. For a fraction of the cost I'll try it. I should get 64 loads(at a half cup per load) out of the 2 gallons so that makes it ummmmmmmabout 3 cents a load.If you want more information Google Laundry Soap Recipe and you'll be amazed at what comes up. (there is a powder version also).

My next adventure..and I use the word lightly.. is bar soap. Can't wait to try it but that must be done on a kid free distraction free day.

About Me

I live in suburbia with my DH and my 2 girls 15 and 16. I love primitives and vintage and antique textiles. Anything old is my motto. And the older the better. Creating is what drives me. Join me as I walk through the journey of life.